Devices for automatically setting a printing cylinder of a rotary press



United States Patent [72] inventor Louis Jean Chambon Paris, France [21] Appl. No. 623,889 [22] Filed March 17, 1967 [45] Patented Nov. 17, 1970 [73] Assignee Societe DEtudes De Machines Speciales Societe Anonyme Paris, France [32] Priority March 25, 1966 [3 3] France [31 $5,009

[54] DEVICES FOR AUTOMATICALLY SETTING A PRINTING-CYLINDER OF A ROTARY PRESS 15 Claims, 16 Drawing Figs.

2,210,021 8/1940 Breitling etal.

2,690,710 10/1954 Aurbach Primary Examiner-William B. Penn Altorney- Robert E. Burns ABSTRACT: An apparatus for continuously printing information on a traveling web is provided with means for selectively changing the context of the printed information without stopping the printing operation. Pairs of printing rollers having variably settable type wheels are disposed adjacent a traveling web and the printing rollers are mounted for synchronous movement such that one of the rollers is always in contact with the web to effect a printing operation while the other roller is out of contact with the web. Punched cards supply the information which is to be printed on the web to a control circuit which generates appropriate information signals. Shifting registers respond to the information signals and variably set the type wheel'of the particular printing roller which is not in contact with the traveling web in accordance with the information contained on the punched cards. When the particular printing roller in contact with the traveling web completes its printing operation, it is moved out of contact with the web while the other printing roller whose type wheels were previously set is moved into contact with the web.

Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet 1 of 10 l l i 1 I I z o I l I i l l I E z l 1 I r w z w x Mm Sheet I t a Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet m wW 3 da mi wm J a: a3 wfi m:

@NS N2 m2 m5 Patented Nov 17, 1970 Sheet Patented No'v.17,197o I 3,540,372

Sheet 6 of 10 Fig. 10.

Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet j of 10 3; w Q UNA SW/A mill III II HHHIII Patentec? Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet Patented Nov. 17, 1970 3,540,372

Sheet 9 of 10 Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet 10 H I 205 ET VLML The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically setting and changing the text ofa rotary printing cylinder intended for printing checks or sheets requiring a change in the printed text and/or number on relatively small series and which automatically changes the printing and numbering of the next series without stopping the machine or discontinuing the printing ofsheets.

Machines are known in the prior art which are adapted to print on strips already bearing a'text which is the same for all the checks (and giving for example the name ofthe bank,'the mention Pay to...", etc..), words and/or numerals differing from one checkbook to another. This variable text comprises, as a rule. the name and address of the branch office of the bank, the account number and the name of the holder olthe particular account, and possibly a line of magnetic types. This variable text may be grouped, for example, to constitute a total of four lines comprising each, at the most, characters and intervals.

In a known type of apparatus the information containing the variable text to beprinted is carried by punched cards, there being one punched card per client or per account. The information carried by these punched cards is read in a card reading apparatus adapted to variably set and control the positions ofthe type wheels incorporated in a printing unit.

The priorjart type-wheel setting or changing device of this type printing machine is objectionable in that its operation is necessarily intermittentand discontinuous. In fact, when a series of checks has been completed the press must be stopped to permit the reading ofanother punched card carrying the information containing a new variable text and the press must remain stopped to perform a new setting ofthe type wheels. It is clear that under these conditions. the printing rate of a machine of this character is rather limited.

It is a primary object of the present invention to improve a machine of this type by providing means whereby during the same passage ofa Web ofpaper, the press can print at the same time the text common to all the checks and the text varying from one seriesofchecks to another.

This invention is concerned more particularly with a modification of a rotary press comprising at least two printing units which are alternately operable, for permitting, during the printing of one series of checks'by one printing unit, the setting of the type of the other printing unit which is inoperative during this time period. Thus, the other printing unit will be ready to print the next series of checks while the first print- 7 ing unit is being set.

To this end, the device according to this invention for automatically setting and changing the text ofa printing cylinder of a rotary press comprises at least two printing units of the variabIe-text-type which are alternately operated to effect a con tinuous printing operation. Each printing cylinder comprises at least one row of wheels carrying a series of types on their outer periphery and being mounted for angular adjustment about their axis for printing preselected texts. The device includes at least one punched card reading device for reading punched cards in succession and a series of prepunched cards each carrying information corresponding to at least one line of the variable text. A IIICIIIOIy unit is connected to said reader for recording the information read thereby and a logical control unit is connected to said memory. A row ofsetting pinions are operatively disposed parallel to said rows of type wheels, each setting pinion registering and coacting with an associated pinion revolving bodily with one of said type wheels. A carrier has mounted thereon the setting pinions and is arranged to be i moved towards and away from said printing cylinder whereby in the inoperative position of said carrier, all the setting pinions are moved away from the pinions of the associated type wheels, and in the operative position of said carrier, the setting pinions are in meshing engagement with the pinions. A device is provided for selectively controlling the rotation of the various setting pinions, and is connected to said logical causing any loss-of paper. This feature is particularly ad vantageous in comparison with the prior art machines in which the printing necessarily takes place intermittently.

Therefore. the device according to this invention affords very high printing rates even if each seriesofchecks comprise but a relatively small number ofchecks and the time available for variably changing the text is very short.

If the printing cylinder is provided with a plurality ofrows of.

type wheels disposed at spaced intervals. the text-changing operation is repeated cyclically and once the information has been recorded-in one row of type wheels. the printing cylinder will automatically rotate through one fraction of a revolution in order to present the next row of type wheels to the row of setting pinions. The information to be recorded in the successive rows of type wheels is read in succession from a series of .punched cards.

In one embodiment of the device according to this invention, the device is capable of reliably and automatically chang ing the information recorded in the different rows of type wheels within a very short time period (of the order of I5 seconds) during which the printing of a 27 check series and the preparation of the next series are performed.

In order to afford a clearer understanding of the presentinvention, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating diagrammatically by way of example the device for automatically setting and changing the text of the printing cylinder in a rotary press. In the drawings:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic elevational view showing a rotary press designed for the continuous printing of alternate series ofchcclts;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a punched card utilized in the automatic setting device ofthis invention;

FIG. 3 is a synoptic diagram showing the mode of operation ofthe device according to this invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary plan view showing the mode of controlling the setting pinions of the setting head;

FIG. 5 is an axial vertical section showing a printing unit;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view ofthe same printing unit;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section showing diagrammatically the setting head and its control mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section showing the printing unit control mechanism and the setting head, the section being taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 9;

FIG. 9 is a section taken along the line IXIX of FIG. 8 to illustrate the kinematic arrangement of the elements controlling the printing unit and the setting head;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal section taken through a printing unit;

FIG. I I is a fragmentary section showing on a largerscale a row oftype wheels ofthe printing cylinder;

FIG. I2 is a cross section taken along the line XII-XII of FIG. 7;

FIG. I3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing the automatic clutch engagement and release mechanism of the printing unit;

. FIG. I4 is a cross section taken along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is another cross section but taken along the line XV-XV of FIG. 13; and

FIG. I6 is a simplified synoptic diagram showing a modified form of embodiment of the circuits controlling the setting device.

The rotary press as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1 is designed for simultaneously printing five series of checks, each series comprising for example 27 or 52 checks.

A paper web 1 from which the checks are to be formed is drawn from a roll and then fed through an output device 2 which is followed by a device 3 for marking, by means ofsuitable toothed small wheels, the longitudinal lines of incipient tearing along which the checks will be separated from the counterfoils or studs by the users.

The machine further comprises four shiftable typographic printing units, namely a first unit 4 for printing a safety" background, a second unit 5 for printing the fixed, constantly reproduced text, a third unit 6 for printing the insert sheet constituting the application for another checkbook, and a fourth unit 7 for numbering the checks and their counterfoils or studs.

The paper web then passes through four variably settable double printing units, namely a first group U comprising units 11 and 21 for printing the first line of the variable text, a second group U- comprising units 12 and 22 for printing the second line, a third group U comprising units 13 and 23 for printing the third line, and a fourth group U comprising units 14 and 24 for printing the fourth line. The variable text printed on the checks by groups U,, U U and U, may comprise the designation and address of the branch office of the bank and the identity dataconcerning the holder of the account (this text being composed on three lines) and a magnetic line permitting the automatic processing of the checks by automatic means.

Following the last group U, is a feed device 8 for tensioning the paper web in the machine, and a rotary cutter 9 equipped with a device for delivering the cut sheets in superposed or stacked relationship to an endless belt conveyor or the like.

Now the general principle of the method of setting the variable-text printing units for personalizing the checks will be described with particular reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 of the drawingsv FIG. 3 shows separately the group U, comprising the print-.

ing units 11 and 21, the other groups being identical to this first group and having the same arrangement. As the machine described herein by way of example is designed for printing .five different checks per revolution, the printing unit 11 coniprises a printing cylinder 31 carrying on its outer periphery five rows of variably and angularly settable type wheels 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36. Each row comprises 40 type wheels in case each line to be printed on a check comprises forty characters or gaps. Associated with the printing cylinder 31 is an impression cylinder 37 disposed under the paper web 1. In FIG. 3, the cylinders 31 and 37 are shown in their printing condition, that is the printing unit 11 is assumed to be operative for printing one line of the variable text on the checks of the paper web 1.

The printing unit 11 also comprises a setting or change-type head 38 which comprises an information setting means mounted for longitudinal movement between two positions and carrying a row ofsetting or changetype pinions 39.

The other printing unit 21 of this group U comprises the same component elements as printing unit 11, that is, a printing cylinder 41, several rows oftype wheels 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 carried by said cylinder, an impression cylinder 47 and an information setting means comprising a setting or change-type head 48 carrying a row of setting pinions 49. As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the cylinders 41 and 47 are spaced from each other whereas the cylinders 31 and 37 are in their printing positions; in other words, cylinder 41 is not operative for printing a line of variable text on the paper web 1 but cylinder 31 is operative to effect a printing on the web 1.

In FIG 3, the setting head 38 is shown in its inoperative position and its setting pinions 39 are spaced from the rows of type wheels 32-36 carried by the printing cylinder 31 driven for continuous rotation. ()n the other hand, the setting head 48 of printing unit 21 is in its operative position and in this position the setting pinions 49 are in meshing engagement with the pinions rigid with the corresponding type wheels 42.

When a printing cylinder setting operation is to take place (for example cylinder 41 in the case of FIG. 3), this printing cylinder is disengaged from the general drive of the rotary press as will be hereinafter described, and coupled to a Geneva wheel driving mechanism adapted to drive the printing cylinder intermittently by reason of one-fifth of a revolution each time.

The alternating translational movement of the setting heads 38 and 48 in relation to the printing cylinders 31 and 41 is controlled by a mechanical system operatively coupled to the rotary drive so as to intermittently drive the cylinder one-fifth of a revolution each time, as will be explained presently. This mechanical coupling system is so adjusted that either the setting head 38 or 48 is constantly inoperative, that is. spaced from the printing cylinder 31 or 41, when the latter revolves during one-fifth of a revolution. The coupling system also in sures that the setting heads are alternately moved to a position in which they are closely spaced from the printing cylinder, so that the setting pinions 39 or 49 will mesh with the relevant pinions rigid with the type wheels whereby at the end of the partial cycle, the setting head is again moved away from the printing cylinder before the latter performs its next partial rotation.

The setting or change-type device according to this invention further comprises information supply means in the form of a punched-card reading device designated as a whole by the reference numeral 55; this device comprises a feed magazine 56 containing punched cards 57 and another magazine 58 for receiving these cards. The punched cards 57 travel from magazine 56 to magazine 58 on a feed track 59 having eleven positions P,, P ...P

Each perforated card 57 contains an information (designated globally by the letters A, B, C, etc..) containing the four lines ofvariable text which are to be printed on a check of a given series. Thus, in FIG. 2 it will be seen that a punched card 57 is divided into four zones containing respectively elementary information a,, a a;, and a, (constituting together the global information A) corresponding to the four lines of variable text which are to be printed on the check. Each zone corresponding to information a to a, of these lines comprises 40 columns and six rows. Each column is divided into six positions whereby an information character can be coded according to the binary system.

In FIG. 3 it will be seen that the punched card reading device 55 comprises two reading heads 61 and 62 simultaneously operative to read two punched cards 57 moving past these heads, in which case the cards concerned are inthe respective positions p, and p The relative spacing of the two reading heads 61 and 62 corresponds to a gap of nine punched cards; in other words, there are nine intermediate positions between them, namely, p p p Thus, when the reading head 62 reads a punched card the other reading head 61 simultaneously reads the eleventh punched card in the card series. Each punched card is thus read twice, firstly by one reading head 61, then by the other reading head 62.

The reading heads 61 and 62 are connected respectively to memory devices 63 and 64 connected in turn to a control circuit 65. This control circuit 65 is also connected in parallel to the setting heads such as 38 and 48 of group U,.

The operation of the device constituting the subject matter of this invention will now be broadly described, the details of this operation being disclosed hereinafter with'reference to FIG. 16.

To simplify the disclosure concerning the operation of the device, it will be assumed that each variable text line printed on the check comprises a single letter, or in other words that the rows of type wheels 32 to 36 and 42 to 46 olprinting cylinders 31 and 41 are each reduced to a single type wheel. The operation in the general case of a line comprising any desired number of letters or signs can easily be inferred from this description. Similarly, only the group U ol units 11 and 21 will be discussed herein, the operation ofthc other units being the same but occurring at a different time.

It will be assumed that in the condition of operation illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3, the printing unit 11 is operative for printing variable texts designated diagrammatically by the letters A, B, C, D and E on the five series of checks. The setting or type-change head 38 is in its inoperative position, that is, spaced from the printing cylinder 31.

On the other hand, in the printing unit 21 the setting device 48 is in its'operative position with its pinion 49 meshing with the pinion rigid with the setting wheel 42 of printing cylinder 41. The setting head 48, as will be explained presently, will successively record in the setting wheels 42 to 46 the information F, G, H, l and .l which these wheels will subsequently print when the printing device 21 becomes operative.

The information is recorded in the setting wheels of the printing cylinders 31 and 41 and taken from the punched cards 57 previously extracted from the magazine 56. When information A to] has been recorded by the wheels of the printing cylinders. the corresponding punched cards carrying the information A. B... J are respectively in positions p,,,. p p, of the feed track 59. The information carried by these cards is read as these cards travel past the first reading head 61 and this data is transmitted to the memory 63 from which they are fed to the control circuit 65 which generates information signals for controlling the setting heads 38 and 48 in a manner to be explained presently.

At a given moment, when a check counter (or a programming device cyclically connected to the operation of the machine) has ascertained that the desired number of checks (27 or 52) have actually been printed in one series, it shifts the printing unit 11 which is thus rendered inoperative as far as the actual printing is concerned and at the same time it shifts the other printing unit 21 away from the setting position and moves same to the printing position so that this printing unit 21 will begin to print the information F, G, H, l, J on the new series ofchecks.

When this new printing sequence begins, the type wheels 32 to 36 must be so set as to be ready to subsequently print on the next five series of checks the new variable information K, L, M, N, O which must be recorded respectively in the type wheels 32 to 36, respectively. This new information K, L, M,

N, O is recorded on punched cards 57 delivered from the magazine 56 after the card carrying the information J.

When the printing cylinder 31 is lifted off the web to stop the printing process, the pinion 39 ofsetting head 38 is still in the position having caused the last setting of the preceding sequence, that is, the position having caused the information E to be recorded in wheel 36. The mechanism of device 11 is so arranged that when the printing cylinder 31 is shifted, the next wheel 32 which was previously printing the information A is stopped in front of its relevant pinion 39. Under these conditions, this pinion 39 is in position E and the first wheel 32 registering with this setting pinion is in position A, so that this wheel must be moved to position K.

This operation is performed as follows: the setting head 38 being in its inoperative position (that is, spaced from the printing cylinder 31),its pinion 39 is moved from position E to position A to subsequently permit the meshing engagement with the relevant wheel 32 which is stopped in position A. To this end, the punched cards 57 are moved by one step along the feed track 59 so that the card carrying the information A be in position p,, and the card carrying the'information K be in position p,, the intermediate cards being shifted accordingly by one step to the right. At this time the card carrying the information A is rcad by the second reading head 62 and this information A is transmitted to the memory 64. This information is subsequently transmitted through the control circuit 65 in the form of an information signal to the setting head 38 so as to rotate said pinion 39 to position A.

Then the setting head 38 is shifted (by the mechanism in service at that time) to its operative position'so that its pinion 39 will mesh with the pinion rigid with the type wheel 32, this pinion 39 and the relevant wheel 32 both being in concordant positions at this time corresponding to said information A. On the other hand, the punched card carrying the information K is read by the first reading head 61 and this information K is transmitted through the aforesaid control circuit 65 as an uppropriate information signal to the setting head 38 which causes the pinion 39 to rotate through a suitable tooth number to the position corresponding to K. The type wheel 32 also rotates through a corresponding number of teeth and is then placed (at the end of the movement of rotation) in the position corresponding to the printing ofthis information K.

When the wheel 32 has been set to position K, the setting head 38 is again moved away from the printing cylinder 31. At that time the mechanical Geneva-wheel control device causes the printing cylinder 31 to rotate through one-fifth ofa revolution and the punched cards 57 move by one step along the feed track 59 so that the card carrying the information B will lie beneath the second reading head 62 and the card carrying the new information L will lie beneath the first reading head 61.

The setting or change of type takes place as before: the setting pinion 39 previously rotated to position K is moved to position B- as a consequence of the information read by the reading head 62. When pinion 39 is in position B, the setting head 38 is moved to its operative position, i.e., pinion 39 is caused to mesh with the pinion of wheel 33 which is also in position B. Thereafter, the information L read by the head 61 is transmitted through the control circuit 65 to the setting head 38 to rotate the pinion 39 and therefore the wheel 33 to position L. Then the setting head 38 is moved away from the printing cylinder 31.

The above-described sequence of operations is repeated for setting the other three wheels 34, 35 and 36. The punched cards are moved step by step along the feed track 59 and the various lines of letters A, B, C, etc... (these symbols actually corresponding to the information) indicate in FIG. 3 the cards positions during each successive step ofthe setting operation.

At the end ofa complete setting cycle, the information data K, L, M, N and 0 have been recorded respectively in wheels 32, 33, 34,35 and 36, as a substitute for the initial information data A, B, C, D and E.

FIG. 4 illustrates diagrammatically a system for transmitting information from the setting head 38 to a row of type wheels, for example wheels 32, of printing cylinder 31. in this figure the row of pinions 39 of setting head 38 are shown as being mounted on a common shaft 71. These pinions 39 may be selectively driven for rotation by trains of gears 73 and electromagnetic clutches 74 selectively energized by means of the control circuit 65 as a function'of the information to be transmitted to the type wheels 32. These wheels are rigid with corresponding pinions 32a adapted to the drivingly engaged by the setting pinions 39.

Now a typical form ofembodiment ofa printing unit such as unit 11 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 15 of the drawings.

The printing cylinder 31 carrying five rows each having 40 type wheels, namely wheels 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36, is rigid with a transverse shaft 81 rotatably mounted at its ends in a pair of bearings 82. The bearings are mounted to slide vertically in a pair of vertical lateral posts 83 constituting the frame structure of the unit. Both bearings 82 are constantly urged upwards by spring means 80. The vertical movement of these bearings 82 of printing cylinder 31 is controlled by shifting means controlled by a pair of levers 84. Each lever 84 is coupled at one end, as shown at 85, to one of the bearings 82, and both levers 84 have their opposite ends rigidly connected to a pair ofarms pivoted about a transverse shaft 86. These two arms 90 are braced by a transverse shaft 87 carrying a pair of rollers 88 engaged by a pair of eccentrics 89 rigid with said transverseshaft 91. This shaft 91 is rigid with a pinion 92 meshing with another pinion 93 having twice its pitch diameter, pinion 92 being rigidly assembled with a four-armed Geneva wheel 94. This Geneva wheel 94 is engaged by a roller 95 carried by a radial arm 96 rotatably mounted about a shaft 97. This arm 96 is driven for continuous rotation through a train of gears comprising toothed wheels 98, 98a, 98b from a toothed wheel 100 having helical teeth, which is rigid with a driving or power shaft 99. The arm 96 is slidably mounted on shaft 97 and its sliding movements are controlled by a pivoted and forked lever 101 engaging a sleeve solid with said arm 96. This pivoted lever 101 has its lower end connected to the plunger core ofan elcctromagnet 102.

As long as this clcctromagnet remains deenergized. the roller 95 lies outside the periphery of the Geneva wheel and the latter remains stationary. On the other hand. when the electromagnet 102 is energized (for causing the engagement or the disengagement of the unit) it causes the lever 101 to pivot and therefore effects the engagement of roller 95 into one of the notches of the Geneva wheel 94. whereby this wheel will rotate through 90". This rotation is transmitted through pinions 93 and 92 to the pair of eccentrics 89, thus rotating these eccentrics through 180 and causing the levers 84 to pivot about their shaft 86. Under these conditions, each time the cleetromagnet 102 is energized, the bearings 82 will move either up. thus moving the printing cylinder 31 away from the paper web 1. or down. thus causing the printing cylinder to be pressed against the underlying impression cylinder 37 The impression cylinder 37 is driven for continuous rotation from the power shaft 99. On the other hand, as already explained hereinabove. the printing cylinder may be driven either continuously from the power shaft 99, during the printing periods. or intermittently by one-fifth of a revolution. dur-- ing the setting periods.

The printing cylinder 31 is driven for continuous rotation through a train of gears 103 comprising a pinion 103 having helical teeth. The pinion is rigid with the power shaft 99 and in constant meshing engagement with a larger toothed wheel 104. As better illustrated in FIG. 8. the shaft 81 of printing cylinder 31 is rigid with a pinion 105 meshing with another pinion 106 keyed on shaft 107 on which said toothed wheel 104 is mounted for loose rotation by means of bearings. Slidably mounted on this shaft 107 is a coupling sleeve 108 having notches 109 and 111 formed in its two lateral faces. Notches 109 are engageable by corresponding dogs 110 rigid with the driving toothed wheel 104. In FIGS, 8 and 14. the coupling sleeve 108 is illustrated as being in dog meshing engagement with the toothed wheel 104, whereby the latter can drive the printing cylinder 31 for continuous rotation. This position of the coupling sleeve 108 corresponds to the printing period during which the printing cylinder 31 is pressed against the impression cylinder 37.

As already explained hereinabove. when the printing cylinder 31 has to be set after the printing of five series of checks. this printing cylinder 31 must be disengaged from the general drive. that is. the power shaft 99. so as to be driven intermittently by one-fifth of a revolution at a timc. In this last case, the shaft 107 driving the printing cylinder 31 is actuated through a train of gears of which the end gear 112 is mounted for loose rotation on shaft 107 and carries dogs 113 adapted to engage the notches 111 ofcoupling sleeve 108 The sliding movement of sleeve 108 on shaft 107 is controlled by means ofa strap 114 carrying at its ends (FIG. 13) a pair of rollers 115 engaging an annular groove 116 ofcoupling sleeve 108. This strap 114 is rigid with a pivot pin 117 having secured thereto a radial arm- 118 urged by a spring 120 and carrying a roller 119 coacting with a pair of adjacent earns.

namely a circular cam 121 and a boss cam 122. These cams are solid with a shaft 123 mounted for longitudinal sliding movement and keyed in a sleeve 124 rigid with a pinion 125. This pinion is driven for continuous rotation through a train of gears 125a. 98b. and 100 from the drive or power shaft 99 of the machinel The shaft 123 is connected at one end to a pivoting lever 126 responsive to an electromagnet 127 and con stantly urged by areturn spring 128.

On the other hand. an electromagnet 129 (FIG. 15) controls a bell-crank lever 131 pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 132 and urged by a spring 133. The hook-shaped end 134 of the bell-crank lever 131 engages a stud 135 rigid with the arm 118 carrying the roller 119.

The above-described mechanism operates as follows: during the printing period. the arm 118 is retained by the lever 131 and hook 134 in the position shown in thick lines in H6. 15. Shaft 117- and strap 114 are then so positioned that the coupling sleeve 108 is in its straight position shown in H6. 14. so as to cause the printing cylinder to be driven from the power shaft 99 of the machine.

At the end of the printing period. that is. when the text of the printing cylinder has to be changed or modified, the electromagnet 129 is energized when the roller 119 registers with the boss of cam 122. The resulting angular movement of lever 131 (in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 15) releases the stud 135 so that the pivoting arm 118 is also released. Thus, roller 119 rolls over the boss of cam 122 and approaches the axis of rotation of the cams. 0n the other hand. the electromagnet 127 is energized thus causing the lever 126 to pivot in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 13. The shaft 123 will thus slide to the right. as seen in the same FlG., and the circular cam 121 will be moved to a position in which it is coincident with the transverse plane of roller 119. Thus. this roller 119 is urged against the cam 121 by spring and moves to the position shown in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 15. As a result. the shaft 117 is pivoted in the clockwise direction (as seen in H0. 15), whereby the coupling sleeve 108 is shifted to the left as seen in FIG. 14.

The dogs 113 will thus engage the notches 111 of sleeve 108 and from this moment on the shaft 107 rotatably driving the printing cylinder is coupled with pinion 112. Under these conditions the printing cylinder can be driven intermittently.

At the end ofthe setting or type-change operation when the roller 119 engages the semicircular contour portion of cam 122, the electromagnet 127 is deenergized. thus allowing the spring 128 to move the shaft 123 to the left (as seen in H0.

13). Then. the cam 122 resumes its position of coincidence with the transverse plane of roller 119 to move this roller. The boss ofthis cam 122 causes the arm 118 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction (as seen in H0. 15) and therefore to move the coupling sleeve 108 to the right (as seen in FIG. 14); under these conditions, the shaft 107 is coupled to the driving pinion 104.

On the otherhand. the electromagnet 129 was previously deenergized so that when the arm 118 is restored by the cam 122 to its position shown in FIG. 15. this arm remains locked in this position as a consequence of the engagement of stud by the hook 134 of lever 131. Thus. the coupling sleeve 108 is locked in the position illustrated in FIG. 14 during the entire duration ofthe next printing operation.

Now reference will be made more particularly to F105. 7. 8 and 12 to describe a typical form of embodiment of the typesetting head andof the mechanism controlling the intermittent rotation of the printing cylinder during the setting operation.

The setting head or information setting means 38 (FIG. 7) comprises a frame structure 141 in which the shaft 71 carrying the type-setting gears or pinions 39 is rotatably mounted. This frame structure 141 is mounted on a tilting support consisting ofa pair of arms 142 rigid with a transverse shaft 143 pivotally mounted on a main frame 144. This shaft 143 is rigid in turn with another pair of arms 145. 146 carrying at their ends a pair of rollers 147. 148 engaging. respectively. a cam 149 and a counter-cam'151. These cams 149 and 151 are each provided on their peripheral contour with a series of five spaced bosses alternating with five hollows. so as to produce five complete oscillations of said shaft 143 during a complete revolution of these cams. Both cams 149 and 151 are rigid with a shaft 152 rotatably mounted on the main frame-144, a pinion 153 being rigidly mounted to one end of this shaft 152 (FIG. 8).

When a type-change or setting operation must take place. the pinion 153 and shaft 152 are driven for continuous rotation and this rotation is transformed into an oscillation ofshaft 143 and therefore into a reciprocating motion ofthe complete setting head 38 with respect to the printing cylinder 41, with still periods in the inoperative and operative positions.

The setting head 38 comprises within the frame structure 141 a plurality of small electric motors 154 driving through suitable clutches (not shown) and trains ofgears 155 the various setting pinions 39.

As clearly shown in FIG. 7, each setting pinion 39 carries a pair of pivoting levers 156 and 157 which are an integral part of an electrical safety device. Pinion 39 carries two levers because the transmission ratio between this pinion and pinion 32a of type wheel 32 is 2: 1. Both levers 156 and 157 are resiliently urged by springs 158 and 159 and carry at their front ends noses 156a and 157a, respectively, which are constantly urged outwardly by corresponding springs 158 and 159. Thesenoses 156a and 157a, at each half-revolution of the setting pinion 39. engage the movable arm or blade of a fixed contact 161. The function of this device is to permit a permanent checking of the setting pinions. In fact, if the electric signals emitted by this contact 161 as a consequence of the passage'of nose 156a or 157a do not take place at a predetermined moment (synchronised by resetting a counter verifying the position of pinion 39), an error has certainly occurred and the machine is stopped (as will be explained presently in connection with the diagram of FIG. 16).

On the other hand, a notch 162 is formed in a suitable location along the outer periphery ofwheel 32. The position ofthis notch is such that when the type wheel 32 is in its normal setting position, the notch 162 can receive the nose 156a or 157a during its passage through the zone of meshing engagement of pinions 39 and 32a. On the other hand, if the type wheels 32 have been shifted during their rotation, the nose 156a or 157a cannot drop into the notch 162 provided therefor and therefore it will tilt about its axis. This causes the rear end 1561: or 157b of the lever to project outside and actuate the contact 161 to disconnect the machine from its drive, as will be explained presently.

On the other hand, a pivoting arm 163 associated with each setting pinion 39 is mounted on the frame 141. The function of this pivoting arm 163 is to detect the passage of the teeth of wheel 39 and actuate a contact 164 emitting an electric signal each time a gear tooth'moves past, this signal being utilized for controlling the positioning of wheel 39.

Now reference will be made mainly to FIG. 8 illustrating the mechanism controlling, during the setting operation, the alternating movements of the setting head and the intermittent rotation of the printing cylinder. The driving mechanism comprises a pinion 165 driven for continuous rotation by a pinion 160 having helical teeth, which is rigid with the power shaft 99 of the machine. This pinion 165 is coupled to an electromagnetic clutch 166 operative, when energized, to drive a pinion 167 carrying a roller 168. This roller 168 is adapted to engage the notches of a five-armed Geneva wheel 169 whereby each time the pinion 167 performs a complete revolution, the Geneva wheel will be rotated by one-fifth ofa revolution.

The Geneva wheel 169 is firstly coupled through a train of gears comprising pinions 171, 172 and 173 to the end pinion 112 controlling the intermittent rotation of the printing cylinder 41. Thus, each time the Geneva wheel 169 accomplishes a partial rotation of one-fifth of a revolution, the printing cylinder 41 is also rotated by one-fifth ofa revolution.

The pinion 167 is also rigid with another pinion 174 coupled in turn through pinions 175, 176 and 177 to the pinion 153 rigid with the shaft 152 controlling the alternating movements ofthe setting head 38.

When the clutch 166 is not energized, the pinion 167 and the complete mechanism just described hcreinabove are locked by a pawl 178 controlled by an electromagnet 179 energized when the setting operation is about to take place.

Now reference will he made to FIG. 16 to describe a modified form of embodiment of the setting device of this invention. This device comprises an information supply means including a punched card reading device 55 having two reading heads 182 and 183. Each punched card 57 is read simultaneously by the two reading heads 182 and 183. The normal reading head 182 is connected to the first stage 184, of a nordivided into four elementary sections recording respectively the elementary information (for example a,, a,. a and a, (FIG. 2) corresponding to the four lines ofvariable text to be printed on the checks of a series. The transfer of information will therefore take place along four parallel tracks in all the recorders.

The output of the tenth stage 185 of the shift recorder 185 is connected to the first stage 187, ofa memory recorder 187.

The second, third and fourth stages of recorders 184 and 187 comprise respectively three, two and one elementary recorders for reasons to be set forth p esently.

During a setting cycle, the punched cards 57 taken from the magazine 56 are successively read at the reading unit 181 and the information thus read thereby is simultaneously transmitted to the shift recorder 185 and to the reading recorder To facilitate the understanding of the following disclosure, it will be assumed that at the beginning of the setting cycle the information A, B, C, D and E is actually recorded in the type wheels 32 to 36 of the previously operative unit 11, the information F, G, H, l and 1 being recorded in the type wheels 42 to 46 of the other printing unit 21 which was inoperative before and of which the setting has just been performed. The information A, B, ...l, J has thus been recorded successively in the shift recorder 185 and then shifted successively from one stage to the next stage, in a manner to be described presently, so that the information A is positioned in the last stage 185 of recorder 185 and information J in the first stage 185,

thereof.

The changeover of the printing units, that is, the alternate pressing and release thereof, take place under the control ofa programming unit comprising essentially two counters 188 and 189 connected to a pulse generator 191. This pulse generator 191 emits from a first output periodic synchronizing pulses t, at a frequency equal to that ofa cycle of the machine, by definition. According to a specific form of embodiment of the machine, the frequency corresponding to the printing of 27 checks is equal to 27 cycles of the machine; in other words, during this time period, 27 pulses t, are emitted. The generator 191 also emits from another terminal another series of pulses t having a frequency equal to one-half of the machine cycle. This synchronizing pulses t, and t, are fed respectively to the inputs ofcounters 188 and 189.

The counter 188 comprises a number of stages depending on the number of checks to be printed in each series. As the machine contemplated herein is capable of printing series of 52 checks, the programming unit 188 comprises 52 stages. On the other hand, the counter 189 comprises 99 stages. The various stages of these two counters are denoted in FIG. 16 by the reference numerals to which the stage numbers are added as indices (for example 188,, 188 188, 189,, 189 8999).

At the end of a printing period, the stage 188 (in the case ofa27-check series) or 188 (in the case ofa 52-chcck series) of counter 188 is engaged. This causes a changeover of the printing units to take place.

The output terminal of stage 188, (or zero stage) of counter 188 is connected in parallel to the eleetromagnets 102,, 129,, 127, and 179, associated with the first printing unit 11 which was previously operative for printing. As already explained in the foregoing, the energization of electromagnet 102, is attended by the release of the printing unit 11 while the eleetromagnets 129, and 127, cause the printing cylinder 31 to be drivingly connected with the intermittent rotation system.

, Electrom'agnet 127, is kept in its energized condition during a considerable part of the programming-unit cycle by a holding circuit comprising a front contact 127,,, of electromagnet 127, and a back contact 180, ofa relay 180 connected to the stage 188 of counter 188. Thus, the electromagnet 127, remains energized and therefore the printing unit remains coupled to the intermittent rotation driving mechanism during the first 24 stages of the program.

At the beginning of the program a relay 179, connected to the stage 188 is also energized. lts front contact 179, is corinected in series with the electromagnetic clutch 166, which is thus energized. This clutch will start the operation of the mechanism controlling the alternating movements of the setting head and the intermittent rotation of the printing unit. The energization of clutch 166 is discontinued automatically by a contact 166a actuated by mechanical means at the end of a complete revolution.

On the other hand, an output pulse from stage 188 releases the stage 189, of counter 189. The output terminal of this stage, as well as the output terminals of stages 189,,,,

189, 199 and 199;, are connected to an OR gate 192 hav ing its output connected on the one hand to a device 55a of the punched card reader 55, this reader 55 controlling the feeding of punched cards 57, and on the other hand to recorders 184, 185,186 and 187 so as to shift by one step all the information data contained in these recorders. Therefore, the information A contained in stage 185 of recorder 185 is transferred to the first stage 187, of memory recorder 187, and the last information .I initially in the first stage 185, is transferred to the second stage 185 As a consequence of the energization of device 55a, the next punched card 57 carrying the information K is traversed through the reading unit 181 and its information K is read simultaneously by both reading heads 182 and 183. Reading head 182 transmits the information K on the one hand to the first stage 185, of recorder 185 and, on the other hand, to the first stage 184, of reading recorder 184. information K is also transmitted from the control head 183 to the control recorder 186. At this time, information A is in recorder 187 and information K in recorders 184 and 186 and also in stage 185, of recorder 185.

When the second pulse t, is fed to counter 188, its stage 188 is tripped. The output terminal of this stage is connected to a memory relay 193 comprisingfour normally open or front contacts, such as 193a, which are respectively connected to four conductors 194 connected in parallel to the four sections of memory recorder187.

1n the following disclosure, as the component elements of the circuit are the same in the four groups of printing units and their operation is similar although shifted in time, only the circuit elements associated with printing units 11 and 21 of the first group will be discussed, it being understood that similar circuits are associated with all the other units. Therefore, the first conductor 194 is shown in FIG. 16 as being connected to the first section ofthe first stage 187, of memory recorder 187 containing the elementary information a, connecting the first line of the variable text and which is an integral part of the total information A previously read from a punched card.

The other three conductors 194 are connected respectively to the second section of the second stage, to the third section of the third stage and to the fourth section of the fourth stage of recorder 187, so as to successively control in time the other three groups ofunits 12 and 22,13 and 23,14 and 24 disposed thereafter or downstream.

The first conductor 194 is connected in parallel through a pair of conductors 195 and 196 to the inputs of two comparators 197 and 198. Other inputs of these comparators are connected through conductors 199 and 201 in common with a conductor 202 connected to the output of the first section of the first stage 184, of reading recorder 184 which is associated with the printing of the first line of the variable text, that is, to the first two printing units 11 and 21. Three other conductors 202 are connected to the other three stages of recorder 184, just as conductors 194 are connected to recorder 187.

Each conductor 202 has inserted therein a normally open or front contact 203a of a reading relay 203 connected to the output of stage 188 of counter 188.

On the other hand, the circuit comprises a bistable mul tivibrator 204 adapted to store information concerning the fact that printing units of odd rows (11, 12, 13, 14) or even rows (21, 22, 23, 24) were in service before. An odd" relay 205 and an even" relay 206 are connected to the two outputs of this multivibrator and are energized respectively when the units ofodd" rows or even" rows were previously in service, respectively. Since in the case considered herein it was assumed that the printing units of odd" rows, such as unit 11, were previously in service, relay 205 is operative while relay 206 is inoperative. The bistable multivibrator 204 is connected to the output of stage 188 of counter 188 in order to cause its state to change each time the counter is reset.

Relay 205 controls two front contacts 205a and 2051) connected respectively in series to conductors and 199, and relay 206 controls two front contacts 206a and 206b-connected respectively in series to conductors 196 and 201.

Thus, assuming that the printing unit 11 of odd row was previously in service at the beginning of the cycle, relay 205 will be operative and its contacts 205a and 205b are closed. On the other hand, contacts 206a and 20611 of the even relay 206 are open. Therefore, when the contacts 193a of memory relay 193 are closed, the information a, contained in the first section of the first stage 187 of memory recorder 187 is transmitted through conductors 194 and 195 to comparator 197.

Another input of comparator 197 is connected to the output of counter 207 having its input connected to a pulse generator consisting of contact 164 (see HO. 7) actuated by each passage of one to'oth of the setting pinion 39. Counter 207 will thus contain at any time an information .r corresponding to the angular position of the aforesaid setting pinion 39. In the case considered herein the setting pinion 39 and counter 207 will record, before the beginning of the actual setting operation, the elementary information e, resulting from the last preceding setting operation.

If the informations e, and a, differ, as it generally occurs, the output of comparator 197 will emit a signal fed to clutch 74 mounted between the motor 72 and pinion 39. Pinion 39 is thus rotatably driven and at each passage of a tooth the contact 164 delivers a pulse to counter 207. When the information recorded in counter'207 attains the value at, (Le. when pinion 39 has attained the angular position corresponding to this information) the information signals fed to the two inputs of comparator 197 are concordant and the emission of signals from the output of comparator 197 is discontinued. The clutch 74 is no longer energized and the setting pinion 39 is stopped. Under these conditions, information a, was stored or recorded in the setting pinion 39.

During the next step of the program, the stage 188,,of counter 188 is tripped. As clearly shown in FIG. 16, the output of this stage is connected to the electromagnets 102 129 179, and 127 and also to relay 179., of clutch 166 associated with the second printing unit 21. As a result, this printing unit 21 which was previously inoperative and of which the printing cylinder 41 had been set, is now coupled to the general drive of the machine and pressed for printing the new series of checks.

When the fourth stage 188., of counter 188 is tripped the reading relay 203 is energized and therefore closes its contact 203a. it will be seen that at this time the new elementary information k, stored in the reading recorder 184 is transferred to comparator 197. On the other hand the setting head 38 is brought to its operative position (by the mechanism already described hereinabove); in other words, pinion 39 will mesh with pinion 32a solid with type wheel 32.

As the counter 207 now contains the elementary information a,, the comparator 197 will detect a lack of concordance between the two informations a, and k, fed to its inputs and therefore its output emits a signal fed to clutch 74. Thus, the setting pinion 39 is rotated until the information recorded in the counter 207 becomes equal to k,. When the concordance between these two informations is detected, pinion 39 is stopped as in the preceding case. At this time information k, is

transferred from setting pinion 39 to type wheel 32, thus actually setting this wheel with the new information k Thus, the partial setting cycle is completed.

When a pulse t trips the stage 189, of counter 189, the output of this counter emits through the OR gate 192 a pulse which is fed to the device 55a and causes another punched card 57 to be fed, this card carrying the information L read by the reading unit 181. Simultaneously the same pulse produces the shifting by one step of the information contained in all the recorders, whereby information B is thus introduced into the first stage 187, of memory recorder 187, information K is introduced into the second stage 185 of this recorder 185 and information L into the first stage 185, thereof.

The information data a a a and k k' k, are shifted in the second stages 187 and 184 of recorders 187 and 184 with a view to subsequently set the printing units 12 or 22 of the second group.

The aforesaid pulse t also causes the delivery of the information K previously contained in the control recorder 186. This information K is fed to one input ofa control comparator 211 having another input connected to the second stage 185 of recorder 185. This comparator 211 permits of verifying that the first reading effected by reading head 182 was accurate. If not, the discordance between the information contained in stage 185 and that fed from the control recorder 186 causes a signal to be emitted by the comparator 211 and fed through an OR gate 212 to a circuit controlling the stoppage of the machine.

The above-described device comprises other control circuits. In FIG. 16 it will be seen that the output of the zero stage of counter 207 is connected to one input of an AND-NO gate 213 having its other input connected to the control contact 161. This contact 161 emits an electric signal each time it is actuated by the nose 156a or 157a (FIG. 7) of a lever 156 or 157, and this signal must correspond with the output signal of the zero stage of counter 207. if not (that is, if the setting pinion 39 is shifted) the gate 213 will emit an error signal transmitted through the OR gate 212 to adequate control means for stopping the machine.

The error signal transmitted by the gate 213 also takes place if the type wheel 32 was shifted in relation to the setting pinion 39 so that the nose 156a or 157a (FlG..7) will not drop into the notch 162 of said wheel. At this time, the signal emitted by contact 161 is transmitted through the gate 213 to stop the machine.

The other groups of printing units of the machine are controlled in the same manner as described hereinabove, but in proper time sequence, under the control of a programming unit consisting of the two counters 188 and 189. The time intervals elapsing between the pulses produced at the output terminals of these counters are determined as a function of the distances measured between the various printing units.

Of course, although the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the invention and appended claims.

lclaim:

1. A device for automatically setting a printing cylinder in a rotary press comprising at least two alternately operable printing cylinders of the variable-text type, each printing cylinder carrying at least one row of rotatably mounted type wheels carrying a series of angularly adjustable types at their outer periphery for printing a text, card reading means for reading punched cards each containing information corresponding to one line of the text to be printed, means connected to said card reading means for recording the information read therefrom and developing information signals representative of the text to be printed, a plurality of rotatably mounted pinions each connected to respective ones of said type wheels, a plurality of rows of rotatably mounted setting pinions equal in number to the number of printing cylinders, means mounting individual setting pinions in each row thereof for releasable engagement with respective ones of said first-mentioned pinions which are associated with a row of type wheels on each said printing cylinder, a movably mounted support, means for rotatably mounting said setting pinions on said support, means mounting said support for movement between an inoperative position in which all the setting pinions are spaced from respective ones of said first-mentioned pinions and an operative position in which said setting pinions are in meshing engagement with respective ones of said first-mentioned pinions, and means for selectively controlling the rotation of individual ones of said setting pinions in accordance with said information signals when said support is in its operative position, whereby each setting pinion and therefore each type 1 rotation by th of revolution at a time, means for intermittently, rotatably driving said intermittent-rotation 'driving mechanism, a shaft rigid with said printing cylinder, an electromagnet, and a clutch controlled by said electromagnet selectively operative to couple said printing cylinder shaft either to said general driving shaft or to said intermittent-rotation driving mechanism.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, comprising another clutch disposed between said general driving shaft and said intermittent-rotation driving mechanism, and at least one cam coupled to said another clutch to control the alternating movements ofsaid setting pinion support.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2, comprising two vertically displaceable bearings in which said printing cylinder shaft is rotatably mounted, pivoting levers operative to control the vertical movements of said pair of bearings, a mounting shaft, eccentrics carried by said mounting shaft, a mechanism for rotatably driving said mounting shaft, and another electromagnet controlling said mechanism so as to produce a halfrevolution rotation of said eccentric-carrying shaft each time said another electromagnet is energized,

5. A device as set forth in claim 1, comprising a pulse generator associated with each one of said setting pinions, said pulse generator operative to emit a pulse at each passage of a tooth of the corresponding setting pinion, a pulse counter connected to each pulse generator, an information comparator comprising a first input, a second input and a third input receiving the information and an output, said first input of said information comparator being connected to said pulse counter, two memories connected respectively to said second and third inputs of said information comparator for'delivering to said comparator information corresponding to the angular position in which said setting pinion should be placed, a mechanism for rotatably driving said setting pinion, an elec tromagnetic clutch disposed between said setting pinion and the driving mechanism thereof, said electromagnetic clutch being connected to the output of said comparator.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, comprising at least one lever pivotally mounted on each setting pinion, said lever comprising a first arm and a second arm, a spring urging said first arm of said lever to the outside of said pinion, a nose formed at one end of said first arm, a fixed control contact actuatable at each revolution of said pinion by said nose carried by said first arm of said pivoting lever, a stop-motion control circuit to stop the operation of the device under the control of i said fixed control contact, the end of the other arm of saidl pivoting lever which is opposite to said nose being normally; retracted inwardly of said pinion by spring means, a notch formed in the outer periphery of each type wheel and engageable at each revolution of said setting pinion by said nose formed at one end of said first arm of said pivoting lever if the type wheel and the setting pinion associated therewith are in proper angular relationship. said fixed control contact operative to be actuated by the end of the said other arm of said pivoting lever if the nose formed on the first arm of said lever is moved towards the axis of said setting pinion by a solid portion of the outer periphery of the relevant type wheel.

7. A device as set forth in claim 5, comprising a multistage programming device, a pulse generator driven in synchronism with the rotary press for successively tripping the various stages of said programming device, a shift recorder having 2n stages, wherein n is the number of rows of type wheels carried by said printing cylinder, a reading recorder, a first punchedcard reading head connected to said shift recorder and reading recorder, a first and a second information comparators associated respectively with the two printing units of the rotary press, a memory relay connected to a first stage of said programming device, a front contact of said memory relay connected between said memory recorder and the second inputs of said first and second information comparators, a reading relay connected to a second stage of said programming device which is adapted to he tripped after said first stage, a front contact of said reading relay which is connected between said reading recorder and the third inputs of said two comparators, a bistable multivibrator connected to said programming device and adapted to be switched upon each complete cycle of said programming device, first and second relays connected respectively to said two outputs of said bistable multivibrator, and front contacts of said first and second relays connected respectively in series to said second and third inputs of said first comparator and to the second and third inputs of said second comparator.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7, comprising a first electromagnet controlling the rotary drive coupling of said printing cylinder, a second electromagnet controlling the movements of said printing cylinder to and from its printing position, and a third electromagnet controlling a mechanism for intermittently driving said printing cylinder and the alternating movements of said setting pinion support, said first, second and third electromagnets being connected to one stage of said programming device.

9. A device as set forth in claim 7, comprising a second control reading head, a control recorder connected to said second reading head, a control comparator connected to the output of said control recorder and to the second stage of said shift recorder, and a stop-motion circuit controlling the stoppage of the press which is connected to the output of said control comparator.

10. An apparatus for continuously printing information on a traveling web in accordance with a preselected program comprising: first and second printing means variably settable angularly each movable to a first position in contact with a traveling web to effect a printing operation and movable to a second position away from said traveling web, said first and second printing means being spaced apart from each other along the path of travel of said web; information supply means for generating information signals in accordance with a preselected program representative of information to be printed by said first and second printing means; shifting means for alternately shifting one of said first and second printing means to said first position and the other to said second position in accordance with said preselected program; and first and second information setting means operative in synchronism with said shifting means and in response to said information signals to variably angularly set respective ones of said first and second variable settable printing means when said first and second printing means are in said second position.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10; wherein said first and second printing means each comprises a rotatably mounted'support positioned on one side of the path of travel ofsaid web, at least one row of variably settable angularly type wheels rotatably mounted on said support tranversely to the path of travel of said web, each of saidtype wheels having a plurality of differently configured typing heads positioned around the periphery thereof, and means mounting said rotatably mounted support for movement into both said first position wherein one of said typing heads on each type wheel is effective to print together one line of print on said traveling web and said second position wherein said type wheels are spaced apart from said traveling web 12. An apparatus according to claim ll; wherein said first and second information setting means each includes means for selectively effecting rotation of individual ones of said type wheels in accordance with said information signals; whereby said type wheels are variably set in accordance with said preselected program.

13. An apparatus according to claim ll; wherein each of said first and second printing means includes a plurality of gears connected to rotationally drive respective ones of said type wheels; and wherein said first and second information setting means each comprise a support shaft positioned transversely to the path of travel of said web and adjacent said rotatably mounted support, a plurality of type-setting gears equal in number to the number of said first-mentioned gears, means mounting said support shaft for movement towards said rotatably mounted support to effect releasable engagement of said type-setting gears with respective ones of said first-mentioned gears when said rotatably mounted support is in said second position and away from said rotatably mounted support to effect disengagement therebetween, and means for selectively effecting rotation of individual ones of said typesetting gcars in accordance with said information signals; whereby said type wheels are variably set in accordance with said preselected program.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13; further including a plurality of additional pairs of printing means alike said first and second printing means positioned along the path of travel of said web; and a plurality of additional pairs of information setting means alike said first and second information setting means cooperative with respective pairs of said additional pairs of printing means to variably angularly set individual ones of said respective pairs of printing means in accordance with said information signals.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13; wherein each of said first and second printing means further includes a plurality of rows of variably settable angularly type wheels rotatably mounted on said rotatably mounted support, each of said type wheels having a plurality of differently configured typing heads positioned around the periphery thereof, a plurality of gears connected to rotationally drive respective ones of said type wheels, and means for selectively rotating said rotatably mounted support to position different ones of said rows of type wheels in position to be variably angularly set by its cor responding information setting means. 

